Election of 1860

Using your knowledge of the Constitution and the Causes of the Civil War analyze the map of the Election of 1860 (link). What states were the most populous? What states had slaves? Why do you think Lincoln was so popular? Did Lincoln win in any states that had slaves? Here is a link to a map of the Election of 2008, did those states that voted for Lincoln in 1860 vote for Obama in 2008? Why is this (or is this not) ironic?

A House Divided

Lincoln gave a very important (some would say prescient which means perceiving the significance of events before they occur) speech before the beginning of the Lincoln-Douglas Debates. The speech is long and rather flowery but the most important part of the speech was:

In my opinion, it will not cease, until a crisis shall have been reached, and passed.

"A house divided against itself cannot stand."

I believe this government cannot endure, permanently half slave and half free.

I do not expect the Union to be dissolved -- I do not expect the house to fall -- but I do expect it will cease to be divided.

It will become all one thing or all the other.

I would like you to analyze that part of the speech. What is the "crisis?" What does he mean when he says "A House divided against itself cannot stand?" Where does this phrase come from? In your opinion does this excerpt clearly show his opinion of slavery? How?

OR

Relate this excerpt to today's "crisis" (that is, our economy). Imagine that Barack Obama has come to you and wants to use this excerpt in an upcoming speech. Re-write this excerpt to reflect today's "crisis."

Women's Rights

In the 1800's the Women's Rights Movement gained steam because a group of Women came together at the Seneca Falls Convention. While there these women drafted a document called the Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions. I have provided a LINK for you. Please peruse this document and tell me the following: How is this similar to the Declaration of Independence? What were some of the rights the women wanted? Who was the Declaration of Sentiments directed at? How effective do YOU think this document is/was?